Willenhall Memorial Park fishing pool to be repaired

Date Published : 22 September 2008

A fishing pool in one of Walsall’s Green Flag parks is to be repaired to the tune of £125,000, delighted councillors have announced.

The work will be particularly welcomed by disabled fishermen who have been unable to use the area because of subsidence creating a safety risk.

The repairs are being funded by cash from Walsall Council to compliment the recent lottery-funded restoration of the park and it is hoped that work will be carried out within the financial year.

Walsall Council has called in structural engineers who have advised on the work that needs to be done.

Councillor Sean Coughlan, chairman of the Friends of Willenhall Memorial Park, said: “It has been a long slog and everyone has had to work really hard but it will make a real difference.

“We have got a very active community here in Willenhall and the number of disabled fishermen who have had to miss out has been  real shame. Now they have got some good news.”

Vice-chairman of the Friends group Councillor Carl Creaney said: “We held a ward walk with Walsall Council’s chief executive and he was able to see for himself the people missing out on using the pool.

“It has taken about five years to get this far but this is an important piece of Willenhall’s history and now we have the result we all want.”

Councillor Louise Harrison, Walsall Council Cabinet member for leisure and culture, added: “This will be a real boost to one of our Green Flag parks and I’m sure the community will continue to enjoy this facility for many years to come.”